Categories of Student Organization Gatherings

A meeting is a gathering of law students for planning and organizational purposes.

An event is a one-time occurrence, such as a guest speaker, a cookout, a tailgate party, a dance, or a banquet.

A project is something that is ongoing, such as LAW’s Angel Tree, ALLSA’s Canned Immunity, morning coffee sales, etc.

How to Schedule an Event or a Project

Here are the steps to follow in order to schedule and get approval for an event or a project:

Discuss your proposed event/project with your faculty advisor to ensure that it is appropriate in nature and that it aligns with your organization’s purpose and goals.

Consult with your organization’s advisor and officers to ensure that you have the necessary funds to cover all expenses associated with this event or project.

Check the events calendar at to ensure that nothing else is happening on the same day/time as your event’s planned day/time.

If you plan to involve alumni or friends of Akron Law or local attorneys in this event (e.g., as guest speakers or financial supporters), please contact Associate Dean Meg Matejkovic at ema16@uakron.edufor approval and assistance.

Complete the Event and Project Approval Form. Every event and project must be accompanied by an Event and Project Budget Form which estimates the expenses the organization expects to incur throughout the course of the event or project.

Print the Event and Project Approval Form and Event and Project Budget Form and get your faculty advisor’s signature on both.

Turn the forms in to Mary Ann Garrett in the Dean’s Office. Mary Ann will route the forms to Associate Dean Matejkovic, who must sign off on all student organization events and projects.

Associate Dean Matejkovic will sign and return the forms to Mary Ann Garrett, who will book the room. If Dean Matejkovic has questions about your event or project, she will contact you before forwarding the form.

Mary Ann will book the room and forward the forms to Barbara Weinzierl for final approval.

Barbara Weinzierl will sign her approval on the event/project and then post the details to the Akron Law announcements blog (if requested on the form) and the events calendar on our website (if requested on the form).

Barbara will respond to you and your advisor either letting you know that the event/project has been approved or that there is a problem. If there is a problem or conflict, Barbara will recommend corrective action.

Please note: Policy Memorandum #7 states that “During the Reading Period, activities involving students are not to be scheduled by the administration of the School of Law or by members of the Law Faculty. This includes such activities as committee meetings, student organization meetings, early examinations, class make-ups, added classes, or special programs or activities.” This means that student organization meetings, events, and projects MAY NOT be scheduled during Reading Period or final exams.

If you want to schedule a simple organizational meeting, click here for information on that process.

How to Promote Your Meeting, Event, or Project

There are many ways to promote your meetings, events, and projects. The table below lists the most common ways to promote student organization gatherings.

Email. If you would like an email to go out to the entire law student body about your event, please write up a brief announcement and email it to Barbara Weinzierl at bweinzi@uakron.edu. Such email announcements are also posted to the School of Law Announcements Blog under the Student Organization Announcements heading by default. Generally, one announcement per event is permitted. For larger events, reminder emails may be allowed at Adam's discretion.

Posters and Flyers. If you would like to create a poster or flyer to hang up around the law school or to hand to people, please email it to Barbara Weinzierl at bweinzi@uakron.edu for approval before you distribute it. Remember, too, that there are rules governing the content of such materials and the locations in which they may be placed. Click here to read the rules that govern posters and flyers.

In-class Announcements. Ask your professors if you can have a minute of time at the start of class to announce your event. Or, if you're targeting a broader audience, seek out professors who teach classes like Contracts and Constitutional Law and ask if you may announce your event in their classes, even if you are not enrolled in them.

Word-of-Mouth. Remember that student organizations existed and thrived before we had easy access to email and photocopiers. Word-of-mouth is still an important method by which student organization events are promoted. Walk around the law school during busy times and talk to students, faculty, and staff about your event.